Thursday 5 December 2013

HO...HO...HO.......

Santa has been to my house already.........


 courtesy of my SSCS partner Sandy.     Of course I'm not allowed to open this gift until Christmas Day (sitting on my hands here)  but I was allowed to open two packages.....


Isn't that Christmas ornament gorgeous.  The reindeer button is so cute.  That lovely pouch has a matching pincushion inside.  Ahem..... a certain idiot forgot to take it out of the pouch for the photograph.  What was I thinking!   That the camera could take X-Ray photos perhaps....DUH!    I will show you it soon....promise.
Thanks for my presents Sandy....... itching to open the 'BIG' parcel... determined to be a 'good' girl.

Now I'm wondering if you are wondering what I've been up to since I last posted.   Even if you aren't I'm going to tell you anyway coz I'm funny like that and this is my blog after all.     In keeping with the Christmas theme.... I've been going cold turkey!

Yes.... I've ditched all medication and have opted for this instead.....


Victoria Sponge!   It's been a month since I last popped a pill and I think the cake is finally kicking in.... I'm feeling much better.... fatter but better.    It didn't help that I discovered it's not as hard as I thought to bake bread either.....


and it's a whole lot of fun knocking seven bells out of it before it goes in the oven.  Great stress reliever. Who'd have thought!

The last month hasn't all been about baking.... as if!     I've been sewing up a storm too....

 
Licky Lou was a big help in that department.....


she's asked Santa for opposable thumbs for Christmas.......


imagine that!  If he comes through for her she'll be hosting her very own quilting class on Craftsy soon.... wonder if she needs an agent?

Swap gifts have been dispatched.....


headed for two partners who knows where.....


OK... call me cheap because I only bought one roll of wrapping paper and a job lot of ribbon!   It's the thought that counts... right!

I'm in the process of giving my little sewing room a bit of a tidy.......


I'm really pleased with today's effort......  hanging all my rulers.    Great use of the end of the shelving if I do say so myself.    Looks a bit like a quilt shop display don't ya think.

The girls (Chris, Sally, Kitty) and me had an away day to The Fat Quarters where they convinced me that I not only needed this......


but there was actually a good reason why I should have it....... my looming 60th birthday!!!!!    Well... once they'd persuaded me that I was so old I didn't have a minute to waste procrastinating..... I got a bit feckless and bought these too.....


What the heck.....  a gal is only 60 once... right!      Actually it's not my birthday till next week but better a bird in the hand........  etc..etc.

Well... I think that's you all caught up for now.  

Oh..... I've signed up for Friday Night With Friends sew in over at Cheryl's place this week too.   If you haven't signed up already why don't you follow the link and join in right now.    I'll be happy to share my vino..... if you get in quick!

I'm off up the golden staircase to bed now... to sleep?   Nah.... to play on my Nintendo DS for a while.... who says an old dog can't learn new tricks!

Thanks for stopping by.....  taking pity on a lonely old woman..... enough!!  <lol>

Have a great week filled with fun and fecklessness.....
Hugs
Josie

17 comments:

gracie said...

Never had Victoria Sponge, but I love fresh baked bread. Great stash buy.

Helen said...

Great news about the meds. The bread looks delicious . You have been spoilt with the xmas swap .

Anonymous said...

love your posts josie and those parcels look so pretty,love what Sandy sent you,have an awesome day my friend.xx

Lynda said...

Love your alternative to medicine - excellent solution and I hope you keep well. The Christmas decoration is lovely. Hope you enjoy stitching Best Friends Forever - I love the designs.

Raewyn said...

Sounds like you are looking after yourself Josie; I wondered how you were going :-) Your gifts are gorgeous and it looks like you have been keeping busy. I'm drooling over the addition to your stash!

Susan said...

I am a great believer in the healing qualities of cake, no wonder you're feeling better! That really is a gorgeous decoration, and some very tempting parcels. Enjoy your birthday celebrations.

margaret said...

first of all happy birthday in advance, have a lovely day. Mouth is watering at the Victorian sandwich, I watched Mary Berry make one last night, why don`t mine rise like hers and yours!
Think I must try and make holes in the side of my bookcase, a wonderful idea for hanging templates.It is times like this when a man could be useful. Fat quarter bundle looks inspiring and those hexie papers will save you time. I have just got a sizzix which cuts them but only in a couple of sizes.

kiwikid said...

The sponge and bread look fantastic...much better than medication! Presents look great!
Happy in advance birthday!
xx

KERYN B said...

What a fabulous cook you are cake and bread look amazing. Love the ornament maybe if you hold the big present up to the light!! Have a wonderful birthday.

Diane-crewe said...

have a wonderful birthday when it comes around xx I find the only problem with home made cakes and biscuits is that you HAVE to eat them all .. not before they go off ..but because they taste soooo good x

FloS said...

Lovely decorations from Sandy ! Chooky swap is great !! I wish you a happy birthday in advance !! I think this special event must be celebrated during all the next year !!! Big hugs and kisses !
Florence

Wendy said...

Everything looks wonderful on your post, glad to hear you are doing well. Your baking looks amazing. Happy birthday in advance :) Hugs Wendy xx

Sisbabestitches said...

What!?! You didn't get the memo? Distinct oversight by the Committee of the BEST astrological sign in the zodiac! (alright, bit biased per'aps!) Anyway, Memo states quite clearly: All Sagi's over 40 MUST celebrate a birthday fortnight at least, though it is much better if you have ding dong go in true Archer spirit and work it the whole month, and obviously, feel free to get in some practice in November :) Gorgeous start you have made though :) Bugger your camera isn't x-ray- itching to know what's in all those pretty packages :)

Sharon - Lilabelle Lane said...

Sending Huge Early Happy Birthday Wishes. Great buys and I so hope the cake is better than the meds. hugs xx

Leanne said...

that cake looks awesome Josie, I'm so glad to hear that you have stopped taking the pills, sometimes they can make you feel worse. Your gifts are very cute. Roll on christmas day Hey!!!

Chookyblue...... said...

lovely ornament.........

nestki said...

Hi Josie,
I am a new fan of yours, a quilter, and I have ME too. After nearly two years, it's getting enough better that I can do a little sewing each morning. I am so impressed with how much you accomplish. Mostly, I am lurking now, but someday I hope to write a blog. Thank you for giving so much. Lindsay